8 August 2005 (RFE/RL) -- The United Nations today said that Afghanistan still faces a funding shortfall of $19 million for next month's parliamentary elections.

However, spokeswoman Ariane Quentier for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan says the vote will go ahead as planned.

The UN says it needs $31 million for the vote, which is scheduled for 18 September. The UN says it has so far only received pledges for $12 million.

Afghanistan's parliamentary elections were originally scheduled for June 2004 in tandem with a presidential vote, but they were pushed back, first to the spring of this year and later to September, because of logistical and security concerns.